California Sunshine Harnessed for Solar Power

While Florida may be called the “Sunshine State,” the state of California is known for both its sunshine and its commitment to sustainability. Since 2020, the California Solar Mandate requires that all newly constructed homes must include solar panels or be part of a group of homes served by a solar power system. This is true for single-family homes, condominiums and apartment buildings less than three stories high.

California has set lofty goals for renewable energy with an ambitious goal to have 50% of its electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030. Under this mandate, every new home built in California must have a solar system that generates electricity to meet the home’s annual energy needs.

California has implemented renewable energy requirements in the building code to reduce the demand for energy and produce renewable energy. Creating net zero homes is the goal in this popular state.

Net zero homes produce as much energy as they use. Solar power already provides nearly 16 percent of California’s electricity, according to The New York Times.

Solar Panels and California Housing

“Solar is one of the few things you can add for energy-efficiency that produce a measurable, positive impact,” Gary Liardon, president of the consumer division of PetersenDean Roofing and Solar in Austin. This is one of the largest residential solar installation companies in the country.

“The ability to keep costs low is important, but buyers need to understand that solar panels will produce energy and have a positive financial benefit over the long-term,” says Liardon. “At the same time, the mission is to build the solar system in a way to allow for future upgrades and so that they don’t become obsolete as technology changes.”

Depending on the size of the solar array and the house, adding solar power costs from $10,000 to $13,000 to install on a new home after tax credits according to Forbes.

Solar Power as a Standard Feature for California

Even before the 2020 mandate was announced, Pardee Homes San Diego had begun work on Weston in Santee in eastern San Diego County, its first all-solar master-planned community. “Pardee built our first net zero house in 2003, which got the company started on our ‘Living Smart’ energy-efficient program,” says Jimmy Ayala.

“That program has evolved since then and includes solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, energy-efficient lighting, extra insulation and the use of recycled products.”

Until Weston, says Ayala, solar power has been an option rather than a standard feature for buyers because of price sensitivity.

Meritage Homes has offered solar panels as an option on all their homes for the several years. In addition, the company has built many solar and net zero communities across the country. The California Solar Mandates makes solar panels a standard feature in their homes in the state.

Solar Panels Can be Purchased or Leased

Homeowners can buy or lease their solar panels, which Ayala says is similar to buying or leasing a car.

“Buying solar panels adds to the upfront costs of buying the house, but once you have them there’s very little maintenance required,” says Ayala. “The alternative arrangement is for the solar panels to be on your roof but owned by the solar company. This lowers your initial start-up costs, but you have to pay the solar company a monthly rent. On the other hand, the benefit you get from the solar energy reduces your electricity bill, which offsets the bill to the solar company.”

With the addition of solar panels to homes, consumers receive significant cost savings on their energy bills while creating less draw on the grid for the state.